TiACF26: Athens Asian Food Festival in Kypseli

This May, This is Athens City Festival returns to prove that the best bits of the city aren't always on the mainstream maps. We’re moving beyond the landmarks and diving headfirst into the heartbeat of our neighbourhoods. From 1 May to 31 May, the city transforms into a living, breathing stage where you can anticipate lived experiences that often blur the lines between art and daily life. We’re taking over the spots you walk past every day: the quiet neighbourhood squares, the courtyards in "off-grid" districts, and the sun-drenched rooftops and backstreets only locals know how to find. With over 300 free events, this isn't just a festival happening in Athens; it’s a festival made by the city, for the city. It’s your festival.

Kypseli is arguably the most multicultural corner of the city, so there is no better place to host the Athens Asian Food Festival than the historic Kypseli Municipal Market on Fokionos Negri. Following its massive success last year, this two-day takeover returns to transform the industrial atrium into a steaming, vibrant street market. You will move between stalls serving everything from handmade dim sum and spicy Korean fried chicken to fragrant bowls of Vietnamese pho and Japanese ramen. It is a rare chance to sample authentic street food from across the continent, curated by some of the city's most dedicated chefs and food artisans.

Beyond the tastes, the festival leans into the urban energy of the neighbourhood. You can find your way to the Asian Thematic Bar for signature cocktails infused with exotic ingredients or a glass of chilled sake and soju. The atmosphere is kept high by the Street Outdoors crew, who provide a continuous soundtrack of DJ sets that blend Asian influences with contemporary electronic beats. Whether you are there for a quick lunch or a late-night bite under the market’s high ceilings, it is an essential celebration of how diverse flavours continue to reshape the Athenian identity.